KDP vs KDP Select

To reduce confusion, which there is a ton of, I’ve decided to write this blog post to clear up some common misconceptions.

KDP refers to the “Kindle Direct Publishing” platform.

First, KDP is not exclusive. You can upload your work and have it on Amazon in Kindle format and upload other digital copies anywhere else. It’s basically the system that allows you to publish on Amazon in Kindle format, much like how Barnes and Nobles has PubIt! for their Nook platform.

KDP Select is exclusive. You are basically taking the KDP-submitted work and putting it into an exclusive system in re-occurring 90-day increments.

Question: How do I make my book free?

You can only do this through KDP Select yourself (5-day free promotion every 90 days and you won’t get a royalty). If you are using KDP, you can choose the 35% royalty option for a chance at getting into a discount/free period, but it’s up to Amazon on whether they deem you worthy for it.

Question: I accidentally enrolled in KDP Select. Can I cancel?

You can only turn off the auto-renew feature. You’ll be locked into exclusivity with Amazon for 90 days. At the end of the period you can distribute elsewhere (and keep your book selling on Amazon at either the 35% or 70% rate).

Question: If I sign up with KDP Select, can I give out my eBook to my friends or sell it on my website?

No. Exclusivity is just that. If the book is in any kind of digital medium (MOBI, PDF, EPUB, etc.) to be read, it can’t be distributed. You can only sell through Amazon. That said, if you have an audiobook available, that is allowed to be sold as it’s audio and not text (and yes, I’ve checked with Amazon).

For any other questions, please contact me and I’d be happy to answer/update this post.